Lupe “Baby Face Assassin” Medina Passes Test and More News
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
Word on the street is a girl named Lupita Medina is lighting up the boxing rings with her fighting skills in Southern California.
Last weekend, Medina (10-0) was matched against Maria Micheo Santizo (12-6, 6 Kos) who had fought three world champions and considered one of the top minimumweight fighters at 105 pounds. It was a significant test for the Maywood, California boxer.
Medina was victorious.
The 21-year-old Medina was recently signed to a promotional contract with 360 Boxing Promotions. The company led by Tom Loeffler also signed Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta the WBO super flyweight champion along with two other female fighters.
Both Medina and Hiruta are trained and managed by Manny Robles.
It was Robles who recommended Medina and Mizuki to 360 Promotions. He has been training and polishing both fighters for the past two years and talked to Loeffler about giving them a spot on the 360 Promotion boxing cards.
“Lupita has great skills. Manny is a great believer in her,” said Loeffler who has a long history of promoting women’s boxing. “This was a test for Lupe. She passed it with flying colors. We were very happy with her performance.”
Over the years Loeffler has staged fights such as Lucia Rijker versus Jane Couch in 2003 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He also promotes Cecilia Braekhus who has long been one of the top female fighters for the past 10 years. He sees a great future in Medina.
Watching Medina match blows against the dangerous and big swinging Micheo was nerve-wracking for not just her fans but Loeffler.
“I’m on edge when we have any of the fighters perform, its really more so with the females,” said Loeffler. “I’m definitely invested. It gets pretty emotional.”
Medina, 21, grew up in Maywood, Calif. a small city with a population of 23,000. But despite the small numbers this city south of East L.A. has developed plenty of female and male boxers.
Medina, who is nicknamed the “Baby Faced Assassin” is one of the latest to catch the attention of boxing fans.
“She has a great social media following,” said Loeffler. “She also has a large number of fans that attend her fights.”
Weighing 105 pounds and standing one inch above five-feet in height, Medina trains with Robles in South Gate. So far, the petite fighter with a youthful appearance has vanquished 10 foes with her blend of skillful defense, and solid offensive skills that include power in her fists.
“We want to keep her active. She is definitely learning and progressing,” said Loeffler.
Look for Medina to return to the prize ring in August.
Battle in England
WBO lightweight titlist Terri Harper (15-2-2, 6 Kos) defends against Germany’s Natalie Zimmermann (13-0, 3 Kos) on Friday May 23, at Keepmoat Stadium, in Doncaster, England. DAZN will stream the GBM Sports boxing card.
Harper is making her first defense as the WBO champ after defeating Rhiannon Dixon last September in Sheffield. Before that, she lost the WBO welter title to Sandy Ryan in Sheffield. And before that, she fought to a draw against Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus. And prior to that, a win over Hannah Rankin for the super welterweight title.
The topsy turvy journey all began after a two-year run as super featherweight champion that began in 2019 and ended in with a stunning knockout loss to Alycia Baumgardner in November 2021.
You cannot count Harper out of any fight. She has world title experience against many of the best.
Zimmermann, 42, began her pro boxing career a mere five years ago but arrives from Germany with an undefeated career so far.
Also appearing on the card is Tysie Gallagher versus Ebonie Jones in a super bantamweight fight, plus featherweights Ellie Hellewell and Stevi Levy meet. Both are 10-round fights.
Return of Holly Holm
Holly Holm is back in the boxing ring.
Recently voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the New Mexico fighter Holly Holm who had departed boxing 12 years ago to participate in MMA, surprised the world with the announcement she is back into boxing.
Most Valuable Promotions announced last week that Holm will be included on the boxing card that features Jake Paul versus Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Saturday June 28.
Holm (33-2-3) will be facing Yolanda Vega (10-0) of Mexico in a lightweight boxing match.
More Fight News
Argentina
Zoe Oriana (1-0) defeated Ivana Yanina (0-2) in four on Saturday May 17. The flyweight match was held in Mar del Plata.
Tamara Fernandez (3-0-2) Victoria Moreyra (1-7-2) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday May 17. The super fly match was held in Rafael Calzada.
Maria Mazzarello (7-2) won by knockout in the eight round over Eliana Orecchia (5-16-3) on Friday May 16. The super bantam fight took place in Canuelas.
On Saturday May 24, super bantams Leonela Sanchez (1-0) and Rocio Rodriguez (0-4) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Jessica Clancy (1-2) won by majority decision after six rounds versus Mili Saul (1-1) on Saturday May 17. The featherweight fight took place in South Brisbane.
Louise Creaven (3-0) beat Flora Loga (0-4) by decision after five rounds on Friday May 16. The welter match took place in South Brisbane.
Jasmine Parr (7-1) knocked out Jittamat Phomta (9-10) in the first round on Wednesday May 14. The super fly fight took place in Sydney.
On Saturday May 24, lightweights Pam McClelland (4-3-1) and Maureen Chand (4-6) meet eight rounds for the Australian title at Gosford.
On Saturday May 24, feathers Tywarna Campbell (4-2-2) and Sacha Ryan (2-1) meet 10 rounds for the WIBF title at Surfer’s Paradise.
Canada
On Friday May 23, flyweights Alexas Kubicki (12-1) and Alondra Hernandez (8-0) meet 10 rounds at Edmonton.
Colombia
Neisi Torres (14-17-1) defeated Fernanda Lopez (0-4) by decision after six rounds on Saturday May 17. The super feather fight took place in Medellin. Also, feather Michelle Lopez (2-0) knocked out Monica Cardenas (0-1) in one.
Valentina Navarro (1-1) knocked out Lissa Florez (0-1) in the third round on Tuesday May 13. The super feather match was held in Santa Marta. Also, super bantam Deiris Acevedo (1-0) knocked out Valentina Corrales (0-2) in three; and feather Eucaris Pirela (2-3) knocked out Franyeli Godoy (0-1) in three; super middle Welkaris Martinez (0-2-1) and Aura Palomeque (0-0-1) fought to a draw after four.
France
On Saturday May 24, super flyweights Lauryne Brankuer (6-0-2) and Gemma Ruegg (8-14-1) meet eight rounds at Vierzon. Also, feathers Isis Pizagou (0-0) and Ashley Rabereau (0-0) meet four.
Germany
Sarah Graden (2-0) knocked out Betina Krumholz (1-10) in three rounds on Saturday May 17. The super welter fight took place in Bassenheim.
Guatemala
Angie Castillo (1-0) beat Susseth Requena (0-1) by split decision after four rounds on Friday May 16. The bantam fight took place in Guatemala City. Also, Dulce Diaz (2-0) beat Dulce Garcia (0-1) in four; and minimumweight Jennifer Milena (1-0) knocked out Yuleisi Lopez (0-1) in one.
India
Kamla Roka (3-2) won by decision over Mehakpreet Mehakpreet (1-4) after four rounds on Sunday May 18. The super bantam fight was held in Bangalore. Also, welter Rani Devi (3-1-1) beat Aleksandra Sitnokova (2-1) in four.
Japan
On Sunday May 25, bantamweights Riho Muto (0-1) and Mami Otsubo (1-1) meet four rounds at Gifu.
Malawi
On Sunday May 25, bantamweights Hanna Von Wirth (0-0) and Tamary Mtambalika (1-5) meet six rounds at Lilongwe.
Panama
Yaneth Otero (2-0-1) and Luisana Ascanio (5-2-2) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Saturday May 17. The super fly fight took place in Panama City.
Spain
Teresa Makinen (3-0) defeated Victoria Lomax (0-3) by decision after six rounds on Saturday May 17. The super feather fight took place in Sagunto.
Thailand
Mea Motu (21-1) knocked out Nantachat Wanpeng (5-6) in the second round on Saturday May 17. The super feather fight took place in Pathum Thani.
On Thursday May 22, flyweights Aisha Kamaleldin (3-0) and Pimchanok Theojanda (9-7) meet six rounds at Bangkok.
United Kingdom
Frances Heath (1-0) defeated Naila Peloso (0-10-1) by decision after six round on Saturday May 17. The super fly match took place in Glasgow, Scotland.
On Friday May 23, super welters Paige Goodyear (4-0) and Bojana Libiszewska (7-69) meet six rounds at Wolverhampton. Also, welters Omarah Taylor (3-0) and Claire Watts (1-3) meet six.
On Friday May 23, lightweights Terri Harper (15-2-2) and Natalie Zimmermann (13-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Doncaster, England. Also, super bantams Tysie Gallagher (9-2) and Ebonie Jones (6-0-1) meet 10 rounds for the British title, and featherweights Ellie Hellewell (6-0) and Stevi Levy (13-3) meet 10. DAZN will stream the card.
On Sunday May 25, bantamweights Nina Hughes (6-2) and Nicholine Achieng (4-11-1) meet six rounds in London.
USA
Mizuki Hiruta (8-0) defeated Carla Merino (16-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday May 17. The WBO super fly world title fight took place in Commerce, Calif. Also, minimumweight Lupe Medina (10-0) beat Maria Santizo (12-6) in eight; and light fly Jocelyn Camarillo (4-0) beat Qianyue Zhao (0-2) in four.
Stephanie Simon (3-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Tanishia Lopez (1-1) on Saturday May 17. The super lightweight fight was held in Long Beach, Calif. Also, lightweight Carson Crawford (1-0) beat Archana Sharma (3-4) in four.
Cris Cyborg (5-0) knocked out Precious Harris-McCray (4-2) in two rounds on Saturday May 17. The super welter fight took place in San Jose, Calif.
Cristina Fuentes (9-12-8) and Indeya Rodriguez (6-8-3) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Saturday May 17. The bantam fight was held in Laredo, Texas.
On Thursday May 22, light flyweights Brook Sibrian (6-2) and Angeles Gutierrez (5-1-1) meet six rounds at Hollywood, Calif. Also, bantams Ivy Enriquez (2-0) and Marlen Avila (0-2) meet four.
On Saturday May 24, flyweights Eli Salinas (1-0) and JoAnna Espinoza (0-2) meet four rounds at Los Banos, California. Also super bantams Sandra Magallon (0-0) and Neveah Martinez (0-1) meet four.
Zambia
On Saturday May 24, light flyweights Charity Phiri (0-0) and Fatima M;beka (1-7) meet four rounds at Lusaka. Also, super bantams Mary Mhango (1-0) and Chimwemwe Banda (3-8) meet four; and bantams Gracious Malembeka (0-0) and Mphatso Metaindzu (1-5) meet four.
Zimbabwe
On Saturday May 24, bantamweights Patience Mastara (5-11-4) and Sehliselswe Nhliziyo (1-2-1) meet 10 rounds at Harare.